DoD, FDA partner to speed up approval of freeze-dried plasma for use on the battlefield | Army Times

The Defense Department has partnered with the Food and Drug Administration to speed up the process of approving medical products that can help save lives on the battlefield.

The DoD’s Office of Health Affairs and the FDA announced on Tuesday the joint program that will prioritize the availability of these products, including freeze-dried plasma.

Freeze-dried plasma, which doesn’t need to be kept cold and is more stable than frozen plasma, helps stop bleeding with its clotting properties. Controlling blood loss is one of the most critical tasks facing medics on the battlefield.

Since the FDA hasn’t approved a U.S.-sourced product yet, the military is using French-manufactured freeze-dried plasma until a U.S. option is available.